The Sinful Young Master

Chapter 340: Children of Kaezhlar

Far from the frost-covered roads where Jolthar’s party traveled, in the bustling city of Avyaburgh, a different sort of tension filled the air.

The paved streets were slick with winter rain, and the tall buildings cast long shadows across the narrow lanes. Through these winding paths, a modest carriage made its way toward the wealthy district, where grand mansions stood like sleeping giants behind high walls.

Inside the carriage, Lorryll sat beside his wife, Lilianna, his weathered hands clasped tightly together.

The events at the barony had changed him, aged him in ways that went beyond mere days.

"Are you certain about this?" she asked quietly, her voice barely audible over the clatter of wheels on stone.

"You know how they feel about us. About me."

Lorryll reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "Elara and Orimus are here. Whatever happened before, they’re still family. Just trust me, I have a plan. We need to deal with Jolthar soon..."

After seeing just how Jolthar was, Lorryll’s plan to kill Jolthar only increased, but he wasn’t sure he would be able to achieve that. He needed to find someone of that caliber, and that’s when he thought of Myron and the female companion.

He trailed off, unable to finish the thought.

Lilianna’s jaw tightened.

She had never liked his cousins and had never trusted their smooth words and calculated smiles. Elara especially, with her sharp tongue and sharper ambitions, had made it clear from the beginning that she considered Lorryll’s marriage beneath his station.

And Orimus, his brother, had been even worse in his cold disapproval.

The carriage turned through ornate iron gates and into the courtyard of the opulent mansion, a sprawling structure of gray stone and tall windows that spoke of old money and older grudges.

As they stepped down onto the wet paths, Lorryll felt the weight of history pressing down upon him.

They had barely taken three steps toward the main entrance when a figure emerged from the shadows of the covered walkway.

Johamma Kaezhlar moved with surprising grace for her age. Her silver hair was pulled back in a severe bun, and her black dress spoke of both mourning and authority. Her pale blue eyes, still sharp despite her age, soon found the two incoming figures.

She stopped in her tracks.

"Lorryll," she said, her voice carrying across the courtyard like a blade through silk.

"What are you doing here?"

Her surprise was clear in her voice as she stared at him, confused.

He stopped mid-step, his entire body going rigid.

Lilianna felt his hand tremble in hers and instinctively moved closer to his side.

The old woman’s gaze flicked to her briefly, taking in her simple dress and unadorned appearance with obvious disapproval before returning to Lorryll.

"Grandmother," he managed, his voice rough with emotion.

"I didn’t know you were here."

"Where else would I be?" Johamma stepped closer, her cane tapping against the stones.

"This family has been torn apart for too long, boy. Your father’s pride, your mother’s tears, your own stubborn foolishness. But it’s not too late."

Her voice dropped, becoming almost pleading. "Go to your mother, Lorryll. Beg her forgiveness. Make things right before it’s too late for all of us."

Lilianna felt something cold and hard settle in her stomach.

She had heard the stories and knew how Lorryll’s family had disowned him when he chose love over them. Now, seeing the desperation in the old woman’s eyes, she realized they wanted him back—but without her.

"Come, husband," she said firmly, tugging on his arm.

"We should go inside. The rain is getting heavier."

Johamma’s eyes flashed with anger, but before she could speak, Lilianna was already leading Lorryll toward the mansion’s entrance.

They left the old woman standing alone in the courtyard, her words hanging in the air like smoke.

Inside the warmth of the mansion, they were greeted by familiar voices from the main sitting room.

Lorryll straightened his shoulders and led the way, pushing open the heavy wooden doors to reveal a scene of comfortable luxury. Fire crackled in the massive hearth, and expensive tapestries covered the walls.

Elara looked up from her place beside the fire, her green eyes lighting up with surprise and something that might have been genuine pleasure.

She had grown into her beauty, with golden hair that caught the firelight and a figure that her rich burgundy dress displayed to perfection.

Beside her, Orimus rose from his chair, his broader frame and darker coloring marking him clearly as Lorryll’s brother despite the years that had passed.

"Brother," Orimus said, his voice carefully neutral.

"This is unexpected."

"Lorryll!" Elara’s greeting was warmer, though Lilianna caught the calculating look that flickered across her features.

"How wonderful to see you again. And Lilianna, of course."

The slight pause before her name spoke volumes.

The greeting between them indicated that they have been meeting quite often. And seeing how Orimus was all happy and joyous, he wanted his brother here.

Despite the clan kicking Lorryyll out, Elara had been in contact with him; manipulative as she was, she liked having all the brothers under her grip.

She could see how Lilianna was glaring at her, not even hiding her hatred.

"What brings you here?" Elara asked him, ignoring his wife’s stares.

"Where is Myron?" Lorryll asked abruptly, looking around the room as if expecting to see Elara’s mysterious lover emerge from the shadows.

"I had hoped to meet him."

Elara’s smile flickered. "He had business elsewhere. But he’ll be back soon."

She didn’t care to ask why he needed to meet him, but her cunning mind had already made a note of the expressions they were keeping.

She clapped her hands together, her mood shifting to one of determined gaiety.

"It’s been a long time since we met; why don’t we celebrate this occasion?"

"You must both stay, at least for tonight. I’ll arrange something special."

"We need to leave; I just came to meet Myron, that’s all," Lorryll replied.